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Colombia
Say “Colombia” and most people will immediately think of something negative: drugs, guerrilla warfare, corruption, kidnappings or crime. This is hardly surprising, since the international press regularly features these facts about Colombia.
In truth, Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America, and many places are just as safe to visit as other destinations on the continent. So, if you don’t stray too far from the tourist areas and heed current safety advice, there is no reason why you shouldn’t include Colombia in your itinerary. You will be well rewarded if you do. Caribbean beaches, Andean highlands and fertile rainforest claim the highest diversity of flora and fauna on the continent after Brazil, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers. Yet even those places deemed safe and developed for tourism have hardly been touched by outside visitors.
It’s not, however, just natural wonders that draw travelers to come here; good food, great bars and fantastic coffee are a Colombian trademark, while the locals are reputed to be some of the friendliest and most welcoming in the world, and certainly haven’t lost their party spirit. It’s no wonder the national tourism board has adopted as its saying, “The only risk is wanting to stay.”
Places not to miss on your trip to Colombia:
- Bogotá: A well restored colonial center, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent restaurants and bars make the capital worth visiting despite the noise, dirt and crime it is renowned for.
- The combination of colonial history and Caribbean beaches make Cartagena popular with both foreign and Colombian tourists.
- Take the six-day trek through the northern lowlands to the Ciudad Perdida (lost city), one of the largest pre-Columbian towns ever discovered in the Americas.
- The islands of Providencia and San Andres off the Caribbean coast boast some great beaches, plus diving, snorkeling and nature watching.
- Leticia, on the southern tip bordering Peru and Brazil, is a good base for treks and boat trips into the Colombian Amazon Basin.
How to Go to Colombia
Seasoned backpackers rave about Colombia and claim it to be among the best places in the world for backpacking. For those with less experience bartering for hostels, and wanting a professionally arranged tour, designing a tour with a tour operator specialized in Colombia is an excellent option that will assure your adventure will stay safe and organized.
02 Nov 2015
Colombia Highlights
Museo de Oro
This small collection of pre-Columbian stone, textile, ceramic work, and requisite gold pieces, including some very fine, 2,500-year-old filigree pieces, provides excellent explanations about ...
Museum
Pasto, Colombia
Pasto, Colombia
Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)
Deep in the recesses of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in the upper Río Buritaca valley, lies one of the ancient Tayrona nation\'s most impressive cities, Teyuna, or Ciudad Perdida (Lost City).
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Major Attraction
Colombia
Colombia
Parque Nacional del Café
If Juan Valdez, the image of Colombian coffee through the world, had a farm, it would probably be on the grounds of the Parque Nacional del Café, the theme park for all things coffee related. ...
V!va List
Colombia
Colombia
Plaza de Bolívar
Plaza Bolívar is the ideal place for relaxation in the center of the old city. At lunchtime, locals take advantage of the shade offered around the center statue of Simon Bolívar on his horse, and
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City Plaza
El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia's Best Beaches
Playa Blanca
Very few foreigners know of Playa Blanca, 30 minutes west of Coveñas. This town has small beaches separated by jetties. It's where Colombians seeking sand and sun come to vacation. During the ...
Beach
Coveñas, Colombia
Coveñas, Colombia
The Blowing Hole
Only on a small Caribbean island in the middle of the ocean could a hole in the ground which occasionally blows a strong puff of air be a major tourist attraction. On the southern end of the island,
...
Beach
San Andres, Colombia
San Andres, Colombia
El Almejal Beach
One of Colombia’s most spectacular beaches is El Almejal. The beach stretches two kilometers (1.2 mi) and ends dramatically as the ocean’s fury makes a meal of the surrounding rocks. Here, you
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Beach
El Valle, Colombia
El Valle, Colombia
Playa Grande and Playa Cristal
If the beach in town gets too familiar, try one of the other stretches of sand nearby. The knoll on the right-hand-side of Taganga Bay shelters Playa Grande, an expanse of pale golden arena. From the
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Beach
Taganga, Colombia
Taganga, Colombia
The Other Beaches
Most visitors to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona go to the beaches near Cañaveral and Arrecifes in the humid forest zone of the park. On the western end of Tayrona are other less-frequented beaches
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Beach
Colombia
Colombia
Santa Marta Beaches
Nothing surpasses the pale sand and warm waters of the Caribbean coast. Santa Marta is no exception. Within the city itself there\'s a beach along the camellón (seafront). Although a bit dirty, it
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Beach
Santa Marta, Colombia
Santa Marta, Colombia
Bocagrande
Bocagrande is a small island, tucked into the mangrove estuaries near Tumaco. A magical place to spend a few days, the crystalline sea washes upon fine silvery sand and soft breezes moderate the warm ...
Beach
Near Tumaco, Tumaco, Colombia
Near Tumaco, Tumaco, Colombia
Islas de San Bernardo
In an effort to attract affluent clientele and foreign revenue, the Colombian tourism industry has recently begun actively promoting the tiny 10-island archipelago of San Bernardo, which is part of ...
Beach
Tolú, Colombia
Tolú, Colombia
La Piscina
A natural sea pool of crystalline waters has formed surrounded by rock and reef. Large and tranquil with warm waters, La Piscina is home to many species of colorful fishes that dart amongst the ...
Beach
Colombia
Colombia
Beaches near Manaure
In and near Manaure are a number of lagoons where you can observe flamingos and other waterfowl. Many also have beaches where you can cool down. In Manaure itself, the beach is a shadeless, pale gray ...
Beach
Manaure, Colombia
Manaure, Colombia
Colombia's Top Treks
The Lost City Hike / Ciudad Perdida Hike
Treks to Teyuna (or Ciudad Perdida) combine the opportunity to see some of Colombia’s natural beauty with a fascinating insight into the ancient indigenous Tayrona culture. Usually a five-day
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Hiking
Colombia
Colombia
Volcán Puracé
The star of this 803,600-hectare national park is Volcán Puracé. A near-perfect cone peak, it rises 4,760 meters (15,613 feet). A well-defined trail leads from the Pilimbalá ranger station through
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Climbing
Colombia
Colombia
Cave Exploration
Tourists brave enough to ignore the bad publicity given to such a culturally diverse country, must surely contain a sense of adventure somewhere inside themselves. And there\'s no better place for
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Trekking
Near San Gil, San Gil, Colombia
Near San Gil, San Gil, Colombia
Senderos and Miradores
A network of trails and lookout towers help visitors appreciate the natural beauty of this region. The journey to any of these attractions begins on Carrera 6, where signs begin to point you in the
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Hiking
Puerto Nariño, Colombia
Puerto Nariño, Colombia
Cueva de Cuchumba
Not too far from Hacienda La Esperanza, along the Quebrada El Cóncavo, is Cueva de Cuchumba. This cave with a waterfall within was once an important ceremonial center for the U\'wa. It was here they
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Trekking
Colombia
Colombia
Las Lagunillas
An easy one-day hike road trip is to Las Laguillas. The “camino” is well defined along the Río Lagunillas, a small stream flowing around copses of “frailejón” and across the plain,
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Trekking
Colombia
Colombia
Trekking
Another prime activity in PNN El Cocuy is trekking across its plains. A series old trails traverse the wind-swept landscaped rimed with snow-covered mountains. The solitude makes it a wondrous
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Trekking
Colombia
Colombia
Mountain Climbing
One of the biggest draws to PNN El Cocuy is the mountain climbing. The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is considered to be one of the most beautiful ranges in the country and the lack of tourists makes for
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Climbing
Colombia
Colombia
Peñol de los Muertos
And it occurred that men with faces of greedOverthrew and erased our villagesImposing their way of life by force.Liberty is a gift that is born with life,It justifies its existence.Without it, Mother
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Hiking
Guican , Colombia
Guican , Colombia
The Camino Real from San Gil to the Río Magdalena
I heard a bit of buzz from a friend in San Gil: Go trekking on the old camino real (highway), or Camino de los Guanes, to the Río Magdalena. I checked it out a bit. Indeed, it appears you can
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Trekking
San Gil, Colombia
San Gil, Colombia
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